“What are you doing in India?”

After nearly two months of traveling around India with first my sister and then my good friend, I’ve finally been able to shift my time and energy to focus on this project. Admittedly, the vastness of it can feel overwhelming to me, and at times, I don’t know how to proceed. There are layers, many of them ancient, but some of them newly formed, that are at work in the genocide of India’s female population.

As a foreigner, there are things that I cannot fully comprehend in a culture vastly different than my own. India is a paradox in many ways, with customs and codes that cannot be deciphered by an outsider looking in. Each time that I journey to and spend time in India I gain new knowledge, though just as it would surely take me lifetimes to traverse the expanse of this country, it would take at least that long to grasp the Soul of India.

Due to the sensitive nature of this subject, it’s not something that can be readily, openly discussed, though there have been situations where doing so has opened doors, connecting me to people and information that would not have otherwise been easily accessible. I generally go with a gut feeling whether it would be prudent to answer the common question asked of me, “What are you doing in India?” While there is no hesitation in telling inquirers that I am writing a book, the most common response I give when they ask about the subject matter is simply “on social issues.” Killing female fetuses and newborn babies, and murdering women for dowry, is not a simple or even possible subject to broach with many Indians. The same is true for some foreigners that I meet who show little to no interest in a crisis that is crippling a country that many of them would profess to love. I don’t think that we can truly love that which we fail to show concern for. Regardless of our country of origin, or of India’s longstanding cultural traditions, this is an issue that demands intensive international involvement, and with no positive bias towards customs that are responsible for the killing of India’s Daughters.

Presently in Calcutta, I came to the city to meet and collaborate with another freelance journalist, Rita Banerji. Rita has recently launched a campaign – 50 Million Missing – an online initiative addressing the genocide of Indian women. Stay tuned for an interview with Rita and more on how you can get involved by supporting the campaign.

10 Responses

Really Barbara Raisbeck has raised a real ‘concern’ that bites not only India, but the whole humanity too. The Genocides like female infanticide, female foeiticide,female genital mutilation are the ugliest and the blackest spots on the face of our humanity, even in this modern time. Solution oriented actions are the need of the hour, we all have a stake in it.

i admire you, and look forward to read your interview with Ms. Banerji. I did email her myself as well but she hasn’t responded. Perhaps due to lack of time. Good luck to you!!! We’re here to support you.

Good to know that there are people interested in the rich culture of my country, and working hard to bring it on the world view. Cheers for your wonderful blog. Even I’m a published poet. You can catch glimpse of some of my works here- http://souravroy.com/poems/